Are you planning to study in Australia? Or maybe you are already a student in the land of kangaroos and planning to extend your visa, whether for post-study purposes or to continue your education to the next level. Either way, there is one thing you always need to keep an eye on: student visa fee Australia.
As someone who is about to become student in Australia, you are already busy preparing for IELTS, applying to colleges or universities, and sorting out accommodation. But do not forget the most crucial part of the process. Because without it, everything else means nothing. Yes, we are talking about your Australian visa application.
Before we get into the fees, let us make sure you know which student visa applies to you, because not every student falls under the same category.
Which Australian Student Visa Is Right for You?
As an Indian student planning to study in Australia, it is important to first understand the different types of student visa available to you. Below, we explain each visa type one by one.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Standard
This is the most common student visa for Indian students coming to Australia. The Subclass 500 standard visa is for students enrolled in a registered full-time course at an Australian educational institution, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral programs, diplomas, and vocational courses. If you are coming to Australia to pursue a degree at a university or college, this is most likely the visa you need.
Key points:
- Valid for the duration of your course
- Allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your study period
- Can be extended if you continue studying or move to a higher level of education
- Your immediate family members can be included as secondary applicants
Student Visa (Subclass 500) ELICOS / Non-Award (New Tier)
This is a new pricing tier introduced under the same Subclass 500 category, specifically for students enrolled in ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) or non-award courses, meaning courses that do not lead to a formal qualification or degree.
Key points:
- Designed for students taking standalone English language courses
- Also covers short preparatory or bridging courses that do not lead to a formal Australian qualification
- This new tier was introduced as part of Australia’s visa pricing reform to better manage international student flows
- The visa fee for this tier is lower than the standard Subclass 500, but still applies to all eligible applicants from 1 July 2026
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)
This visa is not for the student. It is for the parent or relative who comes to Australia to accompany and support a student who is under 18 years old. If you are a minor studying in Australia and your parents want to stay with you during your studies, they would apply for this visa.
Key points:
- Only available to accompany students who are under 18 years old
- Guardian must be a parent, grandparent, or other approved relative
- Does not allow the guardian to work full-time in Australia
- Valid for the same duration as the student’s visa
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
This is a temporary visa for international students who have recently completed their studies at an Australian CRICOS registered institution and want to stay in Australia to live and work after graduation. For many Indian students, this visa is the bridge between completing your education and building a long-term career or migration pathway in Australia.
Key points:
- Allows you to live, work, and study in Australia after completing your degree or diploma
- You must apply within 6 months of your course completion date, missing this deadline means your application is invalid with no refund
- You must be under 35 years old at the time of application, unless an exception applies
- This visa provides full work rights with no hour restrictions, unlike the student visa which limits you to 48 hours per fortnight
- Family members can be included in the application at an additional charge per person
- The application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome, so ensure your application is complete and accurate before lodging
Indian Students Take Note: Here Is What the Australian Student Visa Costs Now
Starting from 1 July 2026, the Australian Government increased student visa fees across all categories. Here is a breakdown of the current international student visa cost Australia for each visa type.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Standard Fee Australia 2026
The standard Student Visa (Subclass 500) application charge increased from AUD $2,000 to AUD $2,500 for the primary applicant from 1 July 2026, a 25% increase. This applies to most Indian students applying for a degree, diploma, or vocational course in Australia.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) ELICOS / Non-Award Fee Australia 2026
A separate lower pricing tier has been introduced for ELICOS and non-award courses, set at AUD $2,050 from 1 July 2026. This applies to students enrolled in standalone English language courses or non-award programs. While this tier is lower than the standard rate, students in this category should note that this is still an increase from previous rates and applies to all new applications lodged from 1 July 2026.
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) Fee Australia 2026
The Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) application charge has also been increased from 1 July 2026, rising from AUD $2,000 to AUD $2,500, in line with the standard student visa increase.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Fee Australia 2026
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is for international students who have completed their studies in Australia and want to stay, live, and work after graduation. From 1 July 2026, the application fee increased from AUD $4,600 to AUD $5,750 for the primary applicant. Indian students should note that this visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome, so it is important to ensure your application is complete and accurate before lodging.
Student Visa Australia Cost Comparison Table 2026
| Visa Type | Who It Is For | Fee Before 1 July 2026 | Fee From 1 July 2026 | Increase |
| Subclass 500 Standard | Degree, diploma, vocational course students | AUD $2,000 | AUD $2,500 | +AUD $500 (25%) |
| Subclass 500 ELICOS / Non-Award | English language and non-award course students | AUD $2,000 | AUD $2,050 | +AUD $50 (2.5%) |
| Subclass 590 Student Guardian | Parent or guardian of student under 18 | AUD $2,000 | AUD $2,500 | +AUD $500 (25%) |
| Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate | Graduates wanting to stay and work post-study | AUD $2,300 | AUD $5,750 | +150% |
Important: The fee is set by the date your application is received by the Department of Home Affairs, not the date you start preparing for it. You must lodge a complete application before a fee change takes effect to pay the old rate. Always verify the latest fee using the official Visa Pricing Estimator on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.
Now That You Know the Australian Student Visa New Price 2026, What Should You Do Next?
The revised student visa fee applies to all valid applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Applicants who lodged before this date are not affected by the new charges. So if you are planning to apply soon, it is worth moving quickly and ensuring your application is complete before any further changes.
We understand that the increase may feel significant, especially when you are already managing tuition fees, living costs, and other expenses. But do not let this stop your dream of studying in Australia or continuing your education here.
As a Subclass 500 visa holder, you are still entitled to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. This can meaningfully help you manage the increased cost of living and student visa fee Australia while you study.
Higher Fees Mean You Need a Stronger Application
With the student visa fee Australia now at AUD $2,500, the stakes of your application are higher than ever. Paying this amount and getting rejected is a situation no one wants to be in, especially when you have already invested time, money, and energy into your IELTS preparation, university application, and course enrolment.
This is why, alongside preparing your finances, you also need to make sure your visa application genuinely reflects who you are as a student.
The Australian Government assesses every student visa application against the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This means you need to demonstrate clearly that your intention in coming to, or staying in, Australia is primarily to study and not for other purposes.
Here is what your application needs to show:
A Clear and Compelling Reason Why You Want to Study in Australia
Do not leave this vague. Explain specifically why Australia, why this course, and why this institution. If you are extending your visa to study at a higher level, explain how this next qualification connects to your career goals or your long-term professional plans. The more specific and personal your statement is, the stronger your application will be.
Evidence That You Are a Genuine Student
This includes your academic history, previous study records, IELTS or English language scores, and a statement of purpose that is specific, honest, and consistent with your background. Avoid copy-pasting generic statements. Australian immigration officers review thousands of applications and can easily identify weak or templated responses.
Strong Financial Evidence
With visa fees increasing and the cost of living in Australia remaining high, the Department of Home Affairs wants to see that you can genuinely support yourself throughout your study period. Prepare clear and up-to-date bank statements, scholarship letters if applicable, or evidence of financial support from your family.
Consistency Across All Your Documents
Make sure everything in your application tells the same story. Your statement of purpose, your course choice, your financial documents, and your study history should all align with each other. Any inconsistency can raise red flags during assessment and result in delays or refusal.
The bottom line is this: a higher visa fee is also a signal from the Australian Government that they are being more selective. Use this as motivation to put together the strongest possible application, because a well-prepared, genuine application not only improves your chances of approval, it also reflects the seriousness of your commitment to studying in Australia.
Once your student visa is approved, preparation shifts to your actual journey and settling in; you can read the student guide for Indian students for practical tips on managing travel costs and navigating life in Australia.
FAQ: Student Visa Fee Australia 2026 for Indian Students
From 1 July 2026, the standard Australia student visa fee (Subclass 500) is AUD $2,500 for most applicants. Students enrolled in ELICOS or non-award courses pay a lower fee of AUD $2,050. The Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) is also AUD $2,500.
The student visa (Subclass 500) application charge rose from AUD $2,000 to AUD $2,500 on 1 July 2026, a 25% increase. The ELICOS and non-award tier increased from AUD $2,000 to AUD $2,050, a 2.5% increase.
Yes. Indian students applying for a Subclass 500 visa are subject to the standard rate of AUD $2,500. Pacific Island and Timor-Leste applicants retain access to concessional visa application charges. Indian students are not eligible for this concession and will pay the full standard rate.
No. If you already lodged your visa application before the increase, the new charges do not apply to you. The fee is set on the day your application is received by the Department of Home Affairs, regardless of when a decision is made.
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement means you must demonstrate to the Department of Home Affairs that your primary intention in applying for a student visa is to study in Australia. This is assessed through your statement of purpose, academic history, course choice, financial evidence, and overall consistency of your application. A strong and specific personal statement significantly improves your chances of approval.
